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Spencer Prior appointed APIA Leichhardt Women’s NPL NSW Head Coach

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In a massive coup for the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition, Former Matildas assistant and Thai Women’s National Team coach Spencer Prior has been appointed as the new 2021 APIA Leichhardt FC Head Coach.

A former English Premier League footballer playing for the likes of Norwich City, Leicester City, Derby County and Manchester City, Prior holds a Pro License coaching qualification.

Having taken some time off coaching, Prior saw this is a huge opportunity to challenge himself once more.

“I’ve been away from coaching for a few years and when I got the call it didn’t take long to get everything sorted. APIA ticks all the boxes.

“The club has a rich history in the game.

“The Women’s program has come leaps and bounds over the past few years.

“I’m really keen to pass on my experience of having worked with National teams both in Australia and Thailand.

“There has never been a greater need for NPL clubs to support female football development and ensure those that don’t go overseas are provided with the right environment.

“The club is extremely focused on providing the girls with a first class set up, the facilities are great, they are motivated, ambitious and have the right mentality.

“I feel APIA are best placed as a club to provide this for all ages and I’m really excited to get started.”

Manly United hope to send Williams off a Championship Winner

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It will be an emotional day for Manly United’s well admired National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s coach Chris Williams who will manage his final game after announcing he will take a year off football as his underdogs face Premiers Sydney University SFC at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday.

After spending a solid sixteen years at the Northern Beaches club involved with the Boys as well as the Women’s programs, Williams was over the moon with how his fearless Manly United side knocked out the highly fancied Sydney Olympic side in thrilling fashion.

“I think the victory in the semi-final showed another side of our game, resilience, character and adaptability.

“To be honest it wasn’t our best footballing performance all year and we know we can play better.

“But we adapted really well to the challenges that Olympic set us and I’m really proud of the players for working so hard for each other, for remaining calm and for believing right until the end that we could win that match by staying true to the way we want to play the game.”

Taking over Manly United Women’s head coach role in 2013, Williams understands that his squad will need to produce something extra special to defeat a silverware hungry Sydney University SFC outfit full of current W-League and Matildas stars.

“We’re really excited by the challenge of playing Sydney Uni in the Grand Final this weekend.

“They have been the leaders in the competition for the last few years and Alex and his squad have really pushed everyone in the league to raise their standards, so we can’t wait to test ourselves and play them on Sunday.

“Sydney Uni play some great football and I know everyone looks at us as underdogs, but I’ve got so much trust and belief in my players and we’re really confident that if can play at our best we can push them all the way and maybe spring what many people might consider a surprise.”

Asked which of the many female superstars Sydney University SFC will be ones to watch out for, Williams stated that they have match winners across the park.

“It’s really hard to pinpoint one or two players form their squad as the reality is they have internationals, and current and ex W-League players across the park and on the bench.

“The fact that they could call on the likes of Michelle Heyman and Rach Soutar off the bench against the Northern Tigers last weekend says it all.

“However we really believe that no matter who we play, we can beat anyone if we stick to our plans, work hard for each other and play our football.”

With Manly United carrying the underdog tag come Sunday, the one-time Tongan Men’s National Team coach stated that both teams have played a pivotal role in the further development of the female game in the state.

“I think both clubs have done a lot to push and raise the standards of women’s football in the NPL over the last few years. Both clubs have great youth development set ups, we both have a core group of players who have been at the club for a number of years.

“For example, depending on injuries/availabilities up to 9 or 10 of our matchday squad on Sunday could be Manly United juniors and both teams like to get the ball on the ground and play what I believe, to be some of the best football in the competition.

“Alex has done an amazing job there over the last few years and I’m really looking forward to what I’m sure will be a great game of football on Sunday.”

Following the match on Sunday, Williams’ legacy will be carried on by his long term assistant Tom Hopley, but first things first, the Manly United girls will be hoping they will be sending off their ‘supercoach’ a Championship winner come Sunday afternoon.

Sydney University SFC hungry for more Championship success

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National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s side Sydney University SFC understand that anything but a victory at this Sunday’s 2020 Grand Final clash against Manly United will be seen is a huge disappointment as the Alex Epakis coached side hope they can clinch yet another memorable double.

Blessed with a quality playing group, Epakis was impressed with how his chargers went about their business easily accounting for the Northern Tigers in the club’s semi-final clash last weekend.

“The win against the Northern Tigers was the perfect performance we could have asked for leading into a tough grand final match. The players where relentless in their effort in hot conditions.

“It was a complete ninety-minute team performance. Every player in the squad contributed to the performance and result and I was extremely happy after the match.”

Going in as firm favourites to lift yet another trophy, Epakis understands the dangers Manly United possess especially with the “underdog” connected to Chris Williams’ side.

“Manly are a well-coached team and have a great squad.

“They have done very well this year and I respect the work Chris and his staff have done.
“I think the game will be a very structured game with both teams aiming to gain control of the ball for as long as possible.

“Both teams have players with X-factor who can create chances from nothing.

“I think overall we can expect an exciting match with two great teams fighting to dominate.”

Epakis however hopes to spoil Manly United’s party with Chris Williams set to walk away from Football for a year with the Sydney Uni coach hoping his troops can capture yet another double piece of silverware.

“The core group of the team have been together for at least the past 2-3 seasons.

“We have built a strong bond based on respect and togetherness.

“We are proud with what we have achieved, but another double would be the absolute pinnacle.

“My coaching staff have been excellent in supporting me to get the best out of a fantastic group of players – A grand final win would me a lot to all of us.”

Jaber ready to shine on Finals Day

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One of Sydney University SFC’s shining young stars Tiana Jaber cannot wait to hit the hallowed pitch that is Valentine Sports Park as she hopes to clinch, along with her teammates, the 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s Championship against Manly United on Sunday.

The 20-year-old was one happy footballer after Uni took care of business in last weekend’s semi-finals match taking out Northern Tigers with a devastating performance coming home with a 4-0 victory booking their ticket and the favouritism tag to the big dance.

“I was definitely thrilled with my team’s performance, we played well together for the total ninety minutes and there was never a drop in effort or focus on our performance which was evident by the score.

“I think us girls deserve to be going in as the favourites, we have worked really hard all season and have pushed each other to play our best.

“We are really well prepared by our great coaching staff, so we are really excited for the weekend.”

Standing in Jaber and Sydney Uni’s way is a determined Manly United outfit who are hoping they can send their well-respected coach Chris Williams out on a winning note as one of their major sources of motivation.

“Manly are a great team who work really hard but to be honest, as long as we play our game and stick to our game plan, we all believe we can face any team no matter who they have.

“I’m confident with the girls we have and know what we are all capable of doing on that football pitch.

“I’m very excited for us to have made the grand final, for our team, our coaches, the club and the supporters.

“I hope we can bring the trophy home for them and for the club.

The former Glenwood Redbacks junior promoted how huge it will be for the club to lift not just the double following their Premiership success but for their reserve grade side to also taste Championship victory this weekend.

“Winning both finals this weekend means a lot to the club and to us girls as it’s a major compliment to how hard we have worked together as a whole squad.

“We have a really great environment at training and the club really looks after us girls.

“Every single person at the club has put in so much effort, it really means a lot that we finish off strong for them.”

More of the same from Copus-Brown

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Manly United’s ‘Assist Queen’ Libby Copus-Brown had the Northern Beaches club bouncing on ceilings after her five-star performance in the club’s epic 3-2 victory over Sydney Olympic, but her focus has now been pointed directly to this Sunday’s Grand Final against Sydney University SFC.

“I think it showed character for us to be able to come back after being down majority of the game, but it wasn’t our best game of football I know we can be better.

“But I’m so proud of the girls for never giving up and fighting hard and sometimes that’s finals football.

“I don’t think it was the best Manly can be football wise and that’s including myself, it was a great feeling to be able to help the team but at the end of the day it was a team effort and I’m just glad that I was able to play my part.

Manly United fans are hoping of more of the same from Copus-Brown who hopes her troops can push the Premiers to the limit come Sunday afternoon and send head coach Chris Williams off a Championship winner.

“The girls are in good spirits; we are fine tuning and working on what we need to do to be better.

“I know that everyone is pumped for the big dance this Sunday and doing everything they can to make sure we prove what Manly United is really about and send our coach Chris Williams off in a way that he deserves.”

The 22-year-old English born star who is also a Childcare Educator has earmarked former Matildas star Michelle Heyman as one to watch out for at Sunday’s huge clash.

“Sydney Uni are a solid team, they have depth right through and majority of the girls have played together for a long time now.

“They have the likes of ex-Matilda Michelle Heyman and plenty of current and ex W-League girls who are all class.

“It won’t be an easy challenge but we will be definitely up for it.”